It often pays to, well, pay. Companies want to get you on the hook for that recurring revenue, so they often include exclusive features and other perks to entice new subscribers and keep existing customers happy.
For example, Google adds the ability to record clips up to 5 minutes to an unlimited number of Nest cameras, as well as to add options for facial recognition and package detection. The subscription also adds access to Gemini, Google’s AI platform; this enables advanced features, such as the ability to search video history using keywords and to receive more-descriptive alerts. (After testing, I’ve found that Gemini consistently makes errors, so I can’t recommend enabling it for now.) Similarly, TP-Link’s Tapo cameras allow you to access most features for free without a subscription. But Tapo Care (starting at $3.50 per month per camera) adds 30 days of cloud storage, smartphone alerts with a thumbnail shot, and the ability to filter recordings by event type.
Although we’re never eager to subscribe to yet another paid service, we think cloud storage for security cameras is a service worth having, even if you don’t use it 365 days a year. And while some cameras may provide free access to cloud recordings for a short window of a few hours, we think it’s crucial to add some type of longer-term video storage option, whether it’s local or cloud-based. Without the capacity to store recordings, you could miss capturing an event that could be critical to you, your household, or even your neighbors. Current cloud plans cost anywhere from $3 to $20 per month (some plans cover a single camera, while others cover multiple cams in one home) and include several privacy and safety features.
This article was edited by Jon Chase and Grant Clauser.
